Family Structure and Adolescent Mental Health Service Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Burrell, Tierra D; Kim, Seohyun; Mohadikar, Karishma; Jonas, Cabell; Ortiz, Nancy; Horberg, Michael A.

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.01.018

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Researchers have pointed out how important the role of parents is, as they are a stable base in not only a teenager's crisis but also a situational crisis such as a pandemic [51,52]. While the research studies available so far indicate a clear increase in the frequency of seeking help in the field of mental health among adolescents, some of them indicate a delayed availability of help due to epidemiological restrictions [53,54]. This is an important point for developing aid strategies for the future so that no one is left without help [55].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

Grzejszczak,

Strzelecki,

Gabryelska

et al. 2024

JCM

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Objectives: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological state of the under-18 population includes an increased risk of psychopathological symptoms development and exacerbation of already present psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health problems in Polish children and adolescents with a focus on suicidal and self-harm behavior with the impact of the pandemic. Methods: The questionnaire collected demographic data, information regarding mental states and psychopathological symptoms, history of self-harm and suicidal behaviors, as well as the experience of psychological, and physical violence, and suicidal self-harm behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In the final analysis, 782 responses were included. Self-evaluation of general and mental health scores was significantly lower during the pandemic among children (both p < 0.001) and adolescents (both p < 0.001). Moreover, general and mental health scores were lower among adolescents compared to children before (both p < 0.001) and during (both p < 0.001) the pandemic. The frequency of seeking help because of mental health problems increased during the pandemic among children and adolescents, while no changes were observed in the prevalence of psychiatric hospitalizations in either of the populations (p = 0.317 and p = 1.00, respectively). Out of autoregressive behaviors among children during the pandemic period, only the frequency of thinking about death increased (p = 0.038). No suicidal attempts were undertaken by children in either of the evaluated time periods. The presence of all autoaggressive behaviors was greater among adolescents compared to children both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (all p<0.05). Conclusions: A subjective decrease in psychophysical well-being, an increase in the frequency of seeking mental health help during the pandemic, as well as an increased prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms were observed in the under-18 population as a potential consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and related socioeconomic changes. The marked increase in self-harm behavior in the adolescent population (age > 12) and the marked increase in the frequency of death thinking in children (age ≤ 12) suggests the need for greater awareness and easier access to professional help from mental health specialists, particularly in a time of unprecedented stress and social isolation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

Grzejszczak,

Strzelecki,

Gabryelska

et al. 2024

JCM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Internally, zip-code level SDOH estimates may be integrated into navigators’ referral-to-service connection recommendations, flagging youth living in comparatively higher risk zip codes or with additional challenges related to food and/or housing instability and offering additional support to overcome potential SDOH barriers to care (Dworkin & Garg, 2019 ; Nayak et al, 2022 ). With time, stratification of patient- and community-level risk factors may inform providers’ treatment plans to meet patients’ mental health needs (Burrell et al, 2023 ; Nayak et al, 2022 ).This care model is vital to pediatric comprehensive health and development, preventing long-term health conditions through early detection and treatment beyond patient’s mental health symptomology.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Existing research suggests that youth experienced increased anxiety and depression symptoms and decreased overall life satisfaction within the early months of COVID-19, and the long-term effects of the pandemic on youth mental health remain unknown (Jones et al, 2021 ; Magson et al, 2021 ; Power et al, 2020 ; Rajmil et al, 2021 ). Despite the significant and recently exacerbated need, there is a significant gap in access to mental health care services in the US and associated barriers for specific pediatric patient populations, such as children with food and/or housing insecurity (Barican et al, 2022 ; Burrell et al, 2023 ; Lui et al, 2022 ; Nayak et al, 2022 ; Rajmil et al, 2021 ). Prevention and early treatment of mental health services in the developmental phases of children is critical to long-term health, further emphasizing the need for interventions that address this care gap (Fusar-Poli, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SDOH data is rarely collected prospectively within these models and is not typically included in clinical research to provide context for patients’ prospective long-term health outcomes, making it difficult to monitor longitudinal service use patterns (Deferio et al, 2019 ; Reid et al, 2019 ). There is a great need to integrate SDOH factors into pediatric care settings to avoid referrals with overwhelming barriers to care, including cost, primary language, type of services, and family structure, that are not realistic for patients and their families and to ensure accessible healthcare services over time (Bettenhausen et al, 2022 ; Burrell et al, 2023 ; Deferio et al, 2019 ; Lui et al, 2022 ; Reid et al, 2019 ). The COI 2.0 provides an opportunity to contextualize patient needs and is a tool for providers’ to address their patients’ needs (Anderson et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study merges COI 2.0 with data from PSS to inform navigator protocols and practices for tailored support of children who are referred to mental health services within this health system. Further research is needed to examine multi-level factors that influence referral-to-service connection among patients with mental health needs (Burrell et al, 2023 ; Council on children with disabilities and medical home implementation project advisory committee et al, 2014 ; Lui et al, 2022 ). PSS was designed, within this health system in SC, as an equitable, novel approach that (1) integrates care between the health system and community and (2) addresses the mental health needs of children and their families, with active support from trained navigators to facilitate referral-to-service connection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Examining Patient- and Community-Level Factors Associated with Pediatric Mental Healthcare Access Within a Patient Navigation Program

Koob,

Stuenkel,

Gagnon

et al. 2024

Community Ment Health J

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In 2021, national leaders in the United States declared a “national youth mental health crisis.” Still, only 1-in-4 children receive adequate mental healthcare access. Patient Navigator Programs (PNPs) can improve children’s referral-to-connection to mental health services. We examined patient- and community-level factors associated with pediatric mental healthcare access. Pediatric Support Services (PSS) is a PNP that triages mental and behavioral health referrals within a large health system in a southeastern state. This study analyzes PSS data from September 2017-March 2023 and Child Opportunity Index 2.0 state-normed zip-code level data to assess social drivers of health estimates. Structural equation modeling was conducted between patient- and community-level factors and connection to mental health services. Overall, 62.7% of children connected to mental health services since PSS’ inception. Regardless of SDOH, as children get older, they are more likely to connect with mental health services (β = .053, SE = .010, p < .001). Children with greater number of referral needs are more likely to connect with mental health services (β = .034, SE = .011, p = .002). Further, children who live in communities with higher opportunity levels are more likely to connect with mental health services (β = .016, SE = .008, p = .040), suggesting that children who live in low-income communities experience more barriers to mental healthcare. Social drivers may inform referral practices and tiered navigation support for optimal mental healthcare access among children. Further research should demonstrate the effectiveness of PNPs integrated within healthcare and community-based settings.

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Family Structure and Adolescent Mental Health Service Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 2 publications

References 36 publications

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

Examining Patient- and Community-Level Factors Associated with Pediatric Mental Healthcare Access Within a Patient Navigation Program

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